Unable to see what was happening outside the ramshackle barn, the bright flashes and booming crashes her only indicator of the magnitude of the battle taking place, Lux cursed in frustration. It was fairly disconcerting to not know who was winning in such a defining fight. She didn't even know who was hurt or who wasn't. The fear for her friends made her feel even weaker and more helpless then she already was, and in turn heightened her frustration.
With all the feelings of anger and frustration building up inside her, Lux sensed something snap. Her mind was reeling from the intense flow of energy that was suddenly flowing through her. She knew instantly that the spell Chase had cast to bind her power had shattered, likely due to his total absorption in the battle outside. Smirking triumphantly Lux shot to her feet, ready to enter the fray and itching for the chance to repay Chase the same courtesies he had shown her with a good kick in the ass.
A hush fell over the group when a blast of power came rushing at Chase from behind, originating from the scarred remains of the barn. The blast landed a direct hit, sending Chase flying back into the forest. Startled by the unexpected attack, he managed to recover quickly, returning to his feet and angrily searching for the source of the surprise attack.
When Lux stepped out of the debris they all stared in shock at seeing her able to move, but none more than Chase. While her appearance earned triumphant grins from her brother and the others, Chase sneered, clearly not expecting to have to deal with the tip in the balance of power. Reid and the others would have to limit their use of power every blast they sent at Chase- unhampered by the limitations of using the power she would not have to do the same. Almost instantly it seemed that he had finally lost his insane enjoyment of the situation.
"How is it possible for you to move?" he roared.
"Apparently you can't concentrate on your spell enough when you're fighting, so it lost its hold. Now, I think it's time that we get rid of you once and for all, and I just happen to know how to do it," she explained, cracking her knuckles in mock preparation for the fight.
"How do you suggest we kill him?" Caleb asked, truly wanting to know what she had in mind.
"What's the best way to get rid of a witch?" Lux asked, answering his question with a question.
Her answer seemed to strike a chord with Caleb; he nodded in understanding. Glancing around he found his friends smiling knowingly, proving that they understood what Lux had meant.
"You got that?" he asked them, ensuring that they were on the same page.
"Can't believe we didn't think of it last time," Tyler snorted.
"That's my girl!" Reid grinned proudly.
"A regular fire isn't going to do anything, so it has to be one of power," Lux explained. "One created by all of us should ensure he stays gone this time."
Chase felt fury rise within him. The insinuation that any of them, even together, could match him was ludacris. All he had to do was take one and he would simply be able to control their every move- it was the hindrance of family and friendship. He had limited Lux before, he could do it again, and this time he would keep her defenseless right in front of him. Then he would watch Caleb and his friends squirm, unwilling to harm her even if it meant getting to him, and then he would squash them beneath his feet. Even without the extra defense, he possessed too much power for them to handle; his power was much stronger, much darker than any of them could ever hope to possess. Call it what you will-addiction- insanity- or evil- it didn't matter. All that mattered was what it gave him and how it made him feel every time he used it. Even now, he could feel the darkness coursing through him providing him with unlimited power.
Having grown tired of playing it was time to kill them all and then concentrate his energy on gaining Lux's Power.
"I've grown bored of this. You no longer humor me, so there's no longer any reason for me not to kill you."
Chase made his move, his arm raised toward the dark sky to prepare a deadly blast of power. Upon seeing his move to finish them off the group jumped into action. Within seconds they formed themselves into a single file line, each of them facing Chase as he advanced in on them.
"Now!" Caleb commanded as Chase came into range where their attacks would be able to do the most damage and have little chance of missing.
Chase had no time to react when the five friends the most intense blasts of power they had left them at him. He could only watch in wide-eyed shock as the five blasts formed into a single massive attack. Once combined the newly formed blast seemed to burst into an intensely burning inferno.
There was no stopping the attack as hit Chase with deadly precision and force. Unlike the other attacks that had been forceful pushes for power this attack did not send Chase flying backwards, instead upon making contact with its intended target the flame engulfed him, seeming to grow more intense as it exploded upon contact. Fueled by their combined powers the flame only grew, refusing to be put out.
The fire roared, but the desperate screams and howls of pain coming from Chase could be heard . They all watched in silence as Chase tried to escape the flames, but he never would. Then, in the span of a heart beat, time seemed to stand still.
Another explosion rang through the air, creating a blast so bright that they were forced to look away, shielding their eyes. When the explosion died away silence filled the air. Opening their eyes they turned back to see what had happened. The only thing to see was a great black and charred circle on the ground where Chase had once stood. At its centre- nothing but a pile of gray ash. It was all that was left of Chase. Finally, he was out of their lives and they could live in peace without the threat he posed hanging over their heads.
Once comprehension dawned that Chase was actually gone all five friends collapsed, panting in exhaustion and finally succumbing to the pain radiating through their bodies from the injuries they had sustained during battle. Despite the tiredness weighing heavily upon them, their relief was much greater. Among the group Lux was clearly the worst off, seeming to barely manage to remain standing on her feet and her clothes soaked in blood from the numerous open gashes. Even so, it was Lux who was the first to break the tense silence, her relief bursting forth in a hearty laugh. Soon after Reid, Caleb, and the others' voices joined in.
"How did you know that would work?" Pogue questioned.
"I figured that there had to be some reasoning behind witch burnings during the Salem witch hunts. All we had to do was add a little something extra to make sure that Chase stayed gone this time." Lux explained matter of factly, leaning down, her hands on her knees as she attempted to catch her breath.
"Why did we think of that last time?" Tyler mentioned jokingly.
Regaining some of their spent energy the group of friends readied themselves to leave Putnam barn; however, as they were leaving Lux stumbled numerous times. Clearly her wounds were starting to get the better of her, and before she knew what was happening she gasped, suddenly finding herself being picked up and carried by Reid. Normally Lux would have protested at having to be carried and would insist that she could walk on her own- this time she couldn't find it in herself to resist. She simply wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her cheek against his shoulder, taking comfort in his closeness.
Even though she was certain that he was extremely tired and sore from being thrown around Reid's arms carrying her were as strong as always. Yet, as they walked he gave no sign of discomfort. Smiling contentedly, Lux used what little energy she had left to lift herself from his shoulder enough to kiss his cheek and whisper that she loved him, snuggling closer where she then drifted off to sleep.
And for the first time in a long time she closed her eyes knowing that she was safe, and right where she wanted to be. She was with all the people she cared most about in the whole world.